Human trafficking is a global issue, with an estimated 49.6 million people trapped in modern slavery, including forced labor and marriage . Women and girls make up 71% of all victims . Children account for approximately 25% of all victims of modern slavery .
It is difficult to track human trafficking because it is an underground crime . Transactions occur in secret, traffickers do not keep public records, and victims are often afraid to report exploitation . Different organizations may report different statistics depending on the types of exploitation they track .
government initiatives and strategies used globally to address human trafficking:
- Sanctions: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers sanctions programs, some of which target transnational criminal organizations involved in human trafficking .
- National Action Plans: Governments create and implement National Action Plans to combat human trafficking . These plans often include strategies and goals for preventing trafficking, protecting victims, and prosecuting traffickers .
- Law Enforcement Task Forces: Law enforcement agencies form task forces to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases . These task forces may include federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as victim service providers and community organizations .
- Training and Awareness Programs: Governments support training programs for law enforcement, social workers, and other professionals to help them identify and respond to human trafficking . Awareness campaigns are launched to educate the public about the issue and how to report suspected cases .
- Victim Protection and Support: Governments fund and support services for victims of human trafficking, such as shelter, counseling, and legal assistance .
international partnerships and collaborations :
International partnerships and collaborations aimed at combating human trafficking . Here are some examples:
- UNODC and BIMSTEC: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote a safer Bay of Bengal, which includes combating human trafficking .
- U.S. Government Partnerships: The U.S. government works with international partners to combat human trafficking . This includes collaboration on anti-trafficking requirements for federal procurement and information sharing on enforcement of forced labor imports .
- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): Guidelines covering all modes of transportation have been developed for APEC’s 21 member economies .
- The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): Aviation-specific guidelines for the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization’s 193 member countries have been developed .
- OSCE: The OSCE works in combating human trafficking through prevention, prosecution, protection and partnerships in a victim-centric, human rights based approach .
- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network joined and collaborated with two human trafficking-focused public-private partnerships hosted by Canada: Project Shadow and Project Protect .
- USAID: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) engaged with multiple jurisdictions to enhance and support human trafficking awareness and investigations around the world …
India’s Role in Prevention :
India is a country of origin, transit, and destination for human trafficking . Factors contributing to trafficking in India include poverty, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and social discrimination . Victims are trafficked for various purposes, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude .
The Indian government has taken steps to address human trafficking, including enacting laws, establishing specialized anti-trafficking units, and implementing awareness campaigns . India also collaborates with international organizations and other countries to combat trafficking .
